KOLKATA, June 30, 2026 — In a major initiative to make hospitality education more practical and career-driven, the NIPS Institute of Hotel Management, Kolkata recently concluded a month-long expert series. The program brought senior hospitality professionals from India’s top hotel brands directly to the campus, offering students an exclusive look into the industry beyond the traditional classroom setting.
Designed to equip the next generation of hoteliers with real-world skills, the series covered critical career-readiness topics, including Management Trainee (MT) opportunities, recruitment preparation, culinary fundamentals, and professional grooming.
A Focus on Career Readiness and Recruitment
The expert series featured distinguished leaders from some of the most respected names in the hospitality sector, including IHCL/Taj, ITC Hotels, Fairfield by Marriott Kolkata, Pride Plaza Hotel, The LaLiT Great Eastern, and Taj SATS.
A significant portion of the program was dedicated to navigating the highly competitive recruitment process. HR leaders from ITC Hotels Kolkata—including Mr. Devabrata Bhattacharya (Cluster Head of HR), Mr. Rameez Ahmed (HR Manager), and Mr. Manav Mirchandani (Deputy HR Manager)—conducted intensive, interactive sessions. Students were guided through MT pathways and participated in mock interviews and group discussions, allowing them to understand exactly what top-tier recruiters are looking for.
Further insights were provided by a panel of learning and development experts:
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Ms. Sowmya Sengupta, Area Director of Learning & Development (East & North East), IHCL/Taj Hotels
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Mr. Sudipta Halder, Assistant HR Director, Fairfield by Marriott Kolkata
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Mr. Rishu Ranjan, Learning & Development Manager, Pride Plaza Hotel Kolkata
These sessions heavily emphasized the importance of internship learning, proactive communication skills, and cultivating a professional attitude from day one of their education.
Leadership and Empathy in Hospitality
Beyond technical skills and interview preparation, the series touched deeply on the core values of the hospitality industry: empathy, leadership, and resilience.
“We at NIPS Institute believe that hospitality education does not just end in the classroom, the textbook, and the exams,” said Mr. Vivek Pathak, Founder and Director of NIPS Institute of Hotel Management. “What the industry needs today are skilled and competent professionals who can adapt to different situations with confidence. With such activities, our students get exposure to the working environment and what it demands. This helps them develop the right professional attitude needed to succeed in this international industry.”
One of the most impactful moments of the series came from Mr. Shekhar Mukherjee, Former General Manager of Taj SATS Kolkata, who shared a deeply personal story about corporate empathy and resilience.
“As I have grown through my career, I have realized that resilience, readiness, and professionalism are some of the essential traits needed for success,” Mukherjee shared. “During my fight against kidney cancer, I saw how much empathy and concern an organization can show for their employees. I vividly recall how Mr. Ratan Tata himself got in touch with my doctor at Tata Medical Center to convey his concern regarding my health. This made me realize that being a leader is not just about making the organization successful; it is also about showing concern for people.”
Mukherjee concluded with a powerful piece of advice for the aspiring hoteliers: “I request all students to take every interview, presentation, practical test, and professional commitment with sincerity and readiness. Even after gaining years of experience, there is no end to learning and preparation.”